Aircraft Information
The aircraft involved was a Luscombe 8E, registration G-BRRB, manufactured in 1946. It was powered by a single Continental Motors C85-12 piston engine. The pilot held an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence, aged 58, with a total flying experience of 19,523 hours, including 157 hours on type.
Flight History
On 19 December 1999 at 1430 UTC, the pilot was returning to RAF Newton from a local flight and decided to land at Lambley airstrip, approximately 3.5 miles north of Newton. A friend on the airstrip provided a surface wind report of 300° at 7 knots. The airstrip orientation is 260°, and the pilot was aware from previous experience that a crosswind from the north could produce turbulence.
Accident Sequence
While descending at around 100 feet above ground level, the pilot encountered turbulence. He decided to execute a go-around and applied full power. Despite appropriate aileron input, the pilot could not prevent the aircraft from rolling to the left. The aircraft side-slipped left until the left wingtip struck the ground, followed by the propeller and nose. It then slewed through 270° before coming to rest.
Aftermath
The pilot shut off the fuel and electrical systems and exited the aircraft through the left door without injury. Damage to the aircraft included the landing gear being destroyed, the propeller bent, and damage to the cowling, rear fuselage, and both wingtips.
Pilot's Observations
In his report, the pilot considered that he may have been affected by a combination of crosswind and downdraught as he initiated the go-around, and that there was insufficient aileron authority to prevent the left roll.